Christ’s Power – Acts 1:8
Do you experience the power of the Spirit for witness?
(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
I think I can tell when the Spirit urges me to talk to someone. And whenever the Spirit does this He gives me the right words. I know that He is in control and that He will tell me what to do. I went shopping today and picked up a book about prophetic evangelism which sounds pretty sweet and I'm excited to start reading a little bit. I hope it'll help me listen to God more when it comes to evangelism and to be able to identify divine appointments in advance. With the power of the Spirit, anything is possible! I have yet had the opportunity to lead someone to Christ and I really hope that God will use me that way in Australia. I know I'll be sharing there, I would just really love to lead people to Him and be able to keep in contact with a new brother or sister in Christ. I can't wait to experience the adventures for this summer...
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Round 3
Round 3
Christ’s Plan – Matthew 28:18-20
Do you embrace the Great Commission?
(18) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
So the big question... do I embrace this passage? Kinda...? I mean I totally understand what it means... Jesus commanded us to go share the gospel with EVERYONE! Not just in foreign countries, but even in our hometowns. I think lately I've been stuck in the rut of, 'Well I'll do my part in Australia this summer' and just kind of ignoring my responsibility to this passage until then. It's not easy for me right now because I'm not working much at all... I just basically go to church and that's about as much excitement as I get. BUT I do have old high school friends that I could be inviting to church. And we had a revival meeting about a week ago and I invited people, but it was short notice which made things difficult. I should be praying for more opportunities... heck even just with my family. My dad's side is not as spiritual as my mom's side... but they are just so hard to talk to about anything at all! I am totally pumped and prepared to go share the gospel when I'm in Australia... I really should be praying more about RIGHT NOW! Practicing now would be amazing preparation for Australia. I need to pray for more wisdom and boldness I think. More zeal. It's been pretty easy to grow stagnit in some areas since I'm stuck at home, but at the same time this is the perfect opportunity to spend lots of alone time with God. For as many times as I've heard or read this passage, it amazes me how convicting and powerful it is!
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In other news...
Rob left for New Staff Training today. I didn't think I'd get to talk to him today, but I was pleasantly surprised to have my cell phone wake me up from my nap. I got to talk to him for a little over a half hour when he was on his way to pick up the guy he's carpooling with. I'm so excited for him! He's going to be playing drums for the worship team down there, which is really cool! I can't wait to see what God does with Him over the next month and a half! In just the past week I've seen strong, spiritual growth in him and in the relationship! God's def. doing something. :)
At midnight, I have only 25 days until I leave for Australia! It's so insane. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster... and the rollercoaster experience for me means that the slow, clicking to the top is nerve racking and all I want to do is get off the coaster, but I know that I can't turn back now... and at the same time I don't want to, I just want to get to the top already so that the anticipation goes away and I can experience the free fall and the awesome twists and turns. This rollercoaster is one the requires my legs to be dangling... which is a very terrifying but fun feeling for me! haha. It's more vulnerable. Also, on the way to the top, I don't look around (mostly because I'm terrified of heights)... this aspect can be positive, because it means I'm focusing on the goal and God, but at the same time, I'm not looking around at the other possibilities. That pretty much explains it. Don't get me wrong at all--I am so excited to go... I just want to get rid of this nervous energy and be there already! :)
Christ’s Plan – Matthew 28:18-20
Do you embrace the Great Commission?
(18) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
So the big question... do I embrace this passage? Kinda...? I mean I totally understand what it means... Jesus commanded us to go share the gospel with EVERYONE! Not just in foreign countries, but even in our hometowns. I think lately I've been stuck in the rut of, 'Well I'll do my part in Australia this summer' and just kind of ignoring my responsibility to this passage until then. It's not easy for me right now because I'm not working much at all... I just basically go to church and that's about as much excitement as I get. BUT I do have old high school friends that I could be inviting to church. And we had a revival meeting about a week ago and I invited people, but it was short notice which made things difficult. I should be praying for more opportunities... heck even just with my family. My dad's side is not as spiritual as my mom's side... but they are just so hard to talk to about anything at all! I am totally pumped and prepared to go share the gospel when I'm in Australia... I really should be praying more about RIGHT NOW! Practicing now would be amazing preparation for Australia. I need to pray for more wisdom and boldness I think. More zeal. It's been pretty easy to grow stagnit in some areas since I'm stuck at home, but at the same time this is the perfect opportunity to spend lots of alone time with God. For as many times as I've heard or read this passage, it amazes me how convicting and powerful it is!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news...
Rob left for New Staff Training today. I didn't think I'd get to talk to him today, but I was pleasantly surprised to have my cell phone wake me up from my nap. I got to talk to him for a little over a half hour when he was on his way to pick up the guy he's carpooling with. I'm so excited for him! He's going to be playing drums for the worship team down there, which is really cool! I can't wait to see what God does with Him over the next month and a half! In just the past week I've seen strong, spiritual growth in him and in the relationship! God's def. doing something. :)
At midnight, I have only 25 days until I leave for Australia! It's so insane. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster... and the rollercoaster experience for me means that the slow, clicking to the top is nerve racking and all I want to do is get off the coaster, but I know that I can't turn back now... and at the same time I don't want to, I just want to get to the top already so that the anticipation goes away and I can experience the free fall and the awesome twists and turns. This rollercoaster is one the requires my legs to be dangling... which is a very terrifying but fun feeling for me! haha. It's more vulnerable. Also, on the way to the top, I don't look around (mostly because I'm terrified of heights)... this aspect can be positive, because it means I'm focusing on the goal and God, but at the same time, I'm not looking around at the other possibilities. That pretty much explains it. Don't get me wrong at all--I am so excited to go... I just want to get rid of this nervous energy and be there already! :)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Round 2
Christ’s Passion – Matthew 9:35-38
Do you have compassion for the lost?
(35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (36) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (38) Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
A little sidenote.
This is my address and the place I'm staying in Australia.
42 Denison St.
Newcastle NSW 2303
Our hostel: newcastlebackpackers.com
Seeing the hostel got me more excited about going. We're just a few blocks from the beach too, I'm really excited to spend time with God by the ocean... it was so much fun to do that during Spring Break, so I'm ready to do it again for sure!
:)
Do you have compassion for the lost?
(35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (36) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (38) Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
I think sometimes my compassion for the lost is only surface level. I don't think this attitude is intentional. It's like when you see those commercials for orphans that are always sad and depressing, but then you get distracted and kind of forget about them. I think I can be a little compassion ADD, if you will. My heart DOES break for the lost, but when it comes to doing something, I'm scared, too busy, or just plain lazy. I need to start working towards being one of the workers in this plentiful harvest. People ARE hungry. People ARE lost and they ARE looking for something to fill the void in their heart. So many times they turned to the wrong things, how many of those times was it possible for us, as the workers, to possibly prevent some of that? I know I need to make more of a conscious effort.
I'm so excited that this summer I'll be somewhat forced to learn to deal with my fear and laziness when it comes to talking to people. It's really hard for me to maintain friendships. I've been burned a lot in the past with friends who only want to talk and not listen. They ended up sucking the life out of me. It's a stronghold I need to get past because not everyone is going to do that to me and I need to give people a chance before I label them. I really hope that my friendship building skills grow a lot this summer and I'll kind of learn how to do that all over again. I know that I have friends now that would be here for me in a heartbeat. Sometimes I just have a hard time realizing it.
A little sidenote.
This is my address and the place I'm staying in Australia.
42 Denison St.
Newcastle NSW 2303
Our hostel: newcastlebackpackers.com
Seeing the hostel got me more excited about going. We're just a few blocks from the beach too, I'm really excited to spend time with God by the ocean... it was so much fun to do that during Spring Break, so I'm ready to do it again for sure!
:)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Prayer for Australia Summer Project
Along with the homework my project director sent, here are some things me and my team will be praying about this week. If you could, even right now, pray for some of these things, it would be greatly appreciated!
- Pray that my team would be followers of Christ and look more and more like him, that his purpose would be our purpose, his passion our passion, his plan our plan and his power our power.
- Pray for our financial needs. We’re at about 60% of what we need as a team. Let’s ask and trust the Lord to provide the remaining 40% before my team gets on the plane in July! God has called my team to physically go to Australia this summer, and he has called others to be involved through sacrificing financially to send us.
My project director gave us some homework. :)
So for the next four days I'll be going through a passage and writing thoughts here.
Round 1
Christ’s Purpose – John 17:1-5
Do you seek God’s glory first and foremost?
This is a pretty powerful passage. Because Jesus died for our sins so we could spend eternity with God, we are Jesus' brothers and sisters and heirs to the Kingdom of God. As Christians He commands us to spread the good news! How many times do we pass up this opportunity? How many times do we ignore the stir in our spirit to talk to someone about Christ? And why? Because we're scared? Because we may be persecuted? Jesus says that we must pick up our cross and follow Him. For those of you who have seen The Passion of the Christ, I'm sure you can recall the image of Christ lugging His cross up a hill -- it was not an easy task! It sure wasn't comfortable. And we do not have it nearly as tough as He did -- I don't think any of us are sweating blood, literally or figuratively over a situation! We should have God glorifying lives 24/7/365. Yes, we are human, we screw up, but if God sees us making the effort He WILL bless us for it. I encourage you, no matter how bad things are, to go to Christ and make things right with Him. He can pull you out of ANY pit. Living in Christ, receiving His joy even when things seem to be falling apart... it's one of the trippyest things ever! When you flesh is freaking out, screaming, but your spirit is still and joyful... you know you're doing something right then! Christ's purpose was to be sacrificed so that we could spend eternity with our heavenly Father. And we should be multiplying and building UP the Kingdom of God while we are hear. Easier said then done?... perhaps. But when you are operating in the Holy Spirit BAM! anything can happen. Bask in His presence people... HE IS HERE! Soak in the glory of God and spread it all around!!!!
I am sooooo pumped for Australia! :-D
Round 1
Christ’s Purpose – John 17:1-5
Do you seek God’s glory first and foremost?
Jesus Prays for Himself
(1)After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (2)For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. (3)Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (4)I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (5)And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began".This is a pretty powerful passage. Because Jesus died for our sins so we could spend eternity with God, we are Jesus' brothers and sisters and heirs to the Kingdom of God. As Christians He commands us to spread the good news! How many times do we pass up this opportunity? How many times do we ignore the stir in our spirit to talk to someone about Christ? And why? Because we're scared? Because we may be persecuted? Jesus says that we must pick up our cross and follow Him. For those of you who have seen The Passion of the Christ, I'm sure you can recall the image of Christ lugging His cross up a hill -- it was not an easy task! It sure wasn't comfortable. And we do not have it nearly as tough as He did -- I don't think any of us are sweating blood, literally or figuratively over a situation! We should have God glorifying lives 24/7/365. Yes, we are human, we screw up, but if God sees us making the effort He WILL bless us for it. I encourage you, no matter how bad things are, to go to Christ and make things right with Him. He can pull you out of ANY pit. Living in Christ, receiving His joy even when things seem to be falling apart... it's one of the trippyest things ever! When you flesh is freaking out, screaming, but your spirit is still and joyful... you know you're doing something right then! Christ's purpose was to be sacrificed so that we could spend eternity with our heavenly Father. And we should be multiplying and building UP the Kingdom of God while we are hear. Easier said then done?... perhaps. But when you are operating in the Holy Spirit BAM! anything can happen. Bask in His presence people... HE IS HERE! Soak in the glory of God and spread it all around!!!!
I am sooooo pumped for Australia! :-D
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I'm such a slacker.
Sound I haven't blogged in a while... and I def. haven't been keeping up in Romans! AGH! I've been in the habit of starting a book and then starting another one... mostly Christian books. But now I'm reading a book called "A Sunburned Country"... it's about Australia and it's pretty funny.
But yeah... I need to get back into the word regularly! I don't think just looking at my facebook bible verse of the day is enough. Even though I haven't been in the word as much as I'd like, I have reconnected with God a lot in the past week. We had an evangelist that spent 35 day at the Lakeland Revival come to my church for two nights in a row (last Friday and Saturday) and it was amazing. People were healed of pain, hearing issues, etc. We also spent a large amount of time praising God and dancing and having fellowship. It was really amazing to feel a heavy presence of God and it was contagious. God really ministered to me the first night and I was "filled" with the spirit. (see Eph. 5:18). I let God take over again and He's been doing a huge work in me, which is good, but somewhat painful. So it's good to be at home and back at my church.
I saw Rob this past Sunday & Monday. It was fun, but now we have a little over 2 months until we see each other again. We both believe that God is separating us for a reason for this time period, but it's really hard. Rob leaves for New Staff Training on Monday and I'm really excited for him and a little jealous! He was talking about some of his texts books and it sounds like he's going to be learning a lot of cool stuff. I'm sure I'll be learning cool things too... which will be fun to talk about when we get back from our summer adventures!
I'm working on getting some sort of cell phone for when I'm in Australia, but it's such a pain. If I use nextel, it cost $1.29 a minute and if I go with a local Australian number I have to buy a phone & sim card... which will basically pay for itself in comparison to nextel. So I'm trying to figure that out (if anyone has any advice let me know...). It's frustrating and adding unneeded stress. I just really want to be able to talk to my family and Rob when I'm gone because I'll be lucky to get online once a week since we can't take laptops.
But other than that... things are good. A girl that I was training last week at my old workplace asked me how to know if she was saved... which she was and just needed to be pointed towards scripture. So that was cool... I didn't even bring it up. God is good. Things are a little rough but other people have it way worse than I do. I'm getting excited for Australia but I'm still nervous... like really nervous. But I know without a doubt that God wants me to go, so I will. :) I know this is a divine appointment in my life. I like to look at it like this: God is stealing me away from everyone I know, especially Rob, to take me to a country I've always wanted to go to, to use me to do His work AND to romance me at one of the most beautiful places I could imagine. So keep me in yours prayers friend... this blog was pretty random so I appreciate it if you made it all the way through. haha.
But yeah... I need to get back into the word regularly! I don't think just looking at my facebook bible verse of the day is enough. Even though I haven't been in the word as much as I'd like, I have reconnected with God a lot in the past week. We had an evangelist that spent 35 day at the Lakeland Revival come to my church for two nights in a row (last Friday and Saturday) and it was amazing. People were healed of pain, hearing issues, etc. We also spent a large amount of time praising God and dancing and having fellowship. It was really amazing to feel a heavy presence of God and it was contagious. God really ministered to me the first night and I was "filled" with the spirit. (see Eph. 5:18). I let God take over again and He's been doing a huge work in me, which is good, but somewhat painful. So it's good to be at home and back at my church.
I saw Rob this past Sunday & Monday. It was fun, but now we have a little over 2 months until we see each other again. We both believe that God is separating us for a reason for this time period, but it's really hard. Rob leaves for New Staff Training on Monday and I'm really excited for him and a little jealous! He was talking about some of his texts books and it sounds like he's going to be learning a lot of cool stuff. I'm sure I'll be learning cool things too... which will be fun to talk about when we get back from our summer adventures!
I'm working on getting some sort of cell phone for when I'm in Australia, but it's such a pain. If I use nextel, it cost $1.29 a minute and if I go with a local Australian number I have to buy a phone & sim card... which will basically pay for itself in comparison to nextel. So I'm trying to figure that out (if anyone has any advice let me know...). It's frustrating and adding unneeded stress. I just really want to be able to talk to my family and Rob when I'm gone because I'll be lucky to get online once a week since we can't take laptops.
But other than that... things are good. A girl that I was training last week at my old workplace asked me how to know if she was saved... which she was and just needed to be pointed towards scripture. So that was cool... I didn't even bring it up. God is good. Things are a little rough but other people have it way worse than I do. I'm getting excited for Australia but I'm still nervous... like really nervous. But I know without a doubt that God wants me to go, so I will. :) I know this is a divine appointment in my life. I like to look at it like this: God is stealing me away from everyone I know, especially Rob, to take me to a country I've always wanted to go to, to use me to do His work AND to romance me at one of the most beautiful places I could imagine. So keep me in yours prayers friend... this blog was pretty random so I appreciate it if you made it all the way through. haha.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
So...
I haven't blogged in a couple of days. Haven't read through Romans either. It's been a pretty busy week. I finished up my summer class (thank you Jesus!) and I've been in Rockford with Rob since Friday night. I'm still here. Rob ended up not having to work today so I got to stay an extra day. Friday we saw Prince Caspian and it was really freakin' cool!! I loved all the Christian connections and some of them were very powerful and sometimes tear jerking! I would totally recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. Saturday we went to Michigan's Adventures with Cru people and that was good and fun up until I feel down some slippery stairs in the water park, which gave me a headache, which made me naseuated (sp?) which put me out of commission the rest of the day -- but Rob and I rode Thunderhawk before we went to the waterpark so I was glad that I at least got to ride the new ride. We went to the beach after that and walked out to the pier and chilled and talked. Then we went to the Getty Drive-In and watched Iron Man. That was the first time I'd ever been to a drive in so it was good fun. Today we went canoing down the Rogue River for two hours -- that was a lot of fun. It was so pretty! Now we're just chillin... Rob's playing some video games and I'm catching up on other people's blogs.
Speaking of reading people's blogs... two of my fellow bloggers are aboard about their recent adventures is getting me excited and nervous about my own in a little over a month! I know God is going to take good care of me because He obviously wants me to go... support raising was almost too easy! lol. But I'm nervous about being away. It's only 6 weeks, but I know SO much is going to happen and that I'm going to grow and do things I've never done before and be places I've never dreamed of seeing before... it's going to be a great experience and I really wish I could shake this feeling of fear. Fear sucks... fear is from the Devil so that means he sucks too. As I'm typing this I'm looking at this eagle things on Rob's desk and it reminds me of Isaiah 40:27-31.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
So there is no doubt that God will sustain me on this trip. He's in control... He knows what's going to happen before, after and during this trip. He knows every single step that I am going to take... then why am I so worried? It's like I know this stuff in my mind but maybe my heart's not completely recieving it? I know it's normal to have some fear/anxiousness before something big like this, but He tells us not to have fear and not to be anxious... BAH! Haha... it's a little frustrating at times. Anywhos... I think I'm done verbally vomitting for today. :)
Speaking of reading people's blogs... two of my fellow bloggers are aboard about their recent adventures is getting me excited and nervous about my own in a little over a month! I know God is going to take good care of me because He obviously wants me to go... support raising was almost too easy! lol. But I'm nervous about being away. It's only 6 weeks, but I know SO much is going to happen and that I'm going to grow and do things I've never done before and be places I've never dreamed of seeing before... it's going to be a great experience and I really wish I could shake this feeling of fear. Fear sucks... fear is from the Devil so that means he sucks too. As I'm typing this I'm looking at this eagle things on Rob's desk and it reminds me of Isaiah 40:27-31.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
So there is no doubt that God will sustain me on this trip. He's in control... He knows what's going to happen before, after and during this trip. He knows every single step that I am going to take... then why am I so worried? It's like I know this stuff in my mind but maybe my heart's not completely recieving it? I know it's normal to have some fear/anxiousness before something big like this, but He tells us not to have fear and not to be anxious... BAH! Haha... it's a little frustrating at times. Anywhos... I think I'm done verbally vomitting for today. :)
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